Seatbelt tension adjustment device

ABSTRACT

A seatbelt tension adjustment device includes an elongated upper body having a downward facing protrusion that is pivotally secured to a lower body having a box-like shape. The lower body including an upper surface for receiving the protrusion and an internal cavity for positioning a paddle drum therein. The paddle drum working in unison with the downward facing protrusion to engage a seatbelt in an adjustable manner.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to automotive devices, and moreparticularly to a seatbelt tension adjustment device capable of allowinga user to adjust the tension/pull produced by an automotive seatbeltduring non emergency use.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Each year, there are over 34,000 fatalities resulting from automotiveaccidents in the United States alone. Of these fatalities, it isestimated that more than 17,000 were not wearing their seatbelts at thetime of the accident.

One of the most common reasons people do not wear seatbelts revolvesaround comfort. Unlike earlier models which included spring loadedadjustable locks, modern automotive seatbelts do not allow a user tocontrol the tension of the belt when it is in use. As a result, theseatbelt applies a constant pressure to the thighs, neck breastbone andshoulders of the user. This constant pulling motion can wrinkle clothingand cause pain to those individuals suffering from ailments in theportions of the body where the seatbelt makes contact. Moreover,children are especially prone to unclip their seatbelt due to thisconstant pressure applied by the mechanism.

Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a device capable ofallowing a user to quickly and easily adjust a seatbelt tension thatdoes not interfere with the vehicle safety features incorporated intothe seatbelt itself, the vehicle air bags, vehicle weight sensors,and/or seat belt alarms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a seatbelt tension adjustmentdevice. One embodiment of the present invention can include an elongatedupper body having a downward facing protrusion that is pivotally securedto a lower body having a box-like shape. The lower body including anupper surface for receiving the protrusion and an internal cavity forpositioning a paddle drum therein. The paddle drum working in unisonwith the downward facing protrusion to engage a seatbelt in anadjustable manner.

This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not toidentify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should beappreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precisearrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seatbelt tension adjustment devicethat is useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosedherein.

FIG. 2 a is a side view of the upper body of the seatbelt tensionadjustment device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 b is another side view of the upper body of the seatbelt tensionadjustment device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lower body of the seatbelt tensionadjustment device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 a is a perspective view of the paddle drum of the seatbelttension adjustment device in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 4 b is an end side view of the paddle drum within the lower body ofthe seatbelt tension adjustment device in accordance with one embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 4 c is a perspective view of the paddle drum within the lower bodyof the seatbelt tension adjustment device in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the seatbelt tension adjustment device in aclosed position, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is an end side view of the seatbelt tension adjustment device inoperation, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the seatbelt tension adjustment devicein operation, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features ofthe invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that theinvention will be better understood from a consideration of thedescription in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailedembodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, itis to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplaryof the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not tobe interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and asa representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriatelydetailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are notintended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandabledescription of the invention.

Identical reference numerals are used for like elements of the inventionor elements of like function. For the sake of clarity, only thosereference numerals are shown in the individual figures which arenecessary for the description of the respective figure. For purposes ofthis description, the terms “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,”“vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to theinvention as oriented in FIG. 1.

As described throughout this document, the tension/pulling motionimparted onto a user by a seatbelt system can vary depending on themake, model and manufacturer of the seatbelt system. Accordingly, it isunderstood to those of skill in the art that the pressure with which thepresently described device will impart onto a seatbelt when securedthereon will be sufficient to overcome the tension/pulling motion of anyconventional seatbelt system during non-emergency use.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, one embodiment of a seatbelt tensionadjustment device 10 can include an upper body 20 that ispivotally/swingably secured (see arrow A) to a lower body 30 whichincludes a cavity 35 for positioning a rotatable drum 40 for engaging aseat belt. As will be described below in detail, the device 10 can actto allow a user to adjust the tension applied to the users body by anautomotive seatbelt.

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b illustrate one embodiment of the upper body 20 of thedevice 10. As shown, the upper body can include an elongated, generallyrectangular member having a top surface 21 a, a bottom surface 21 b,opposing side surfaces 21 c and 21 d, and a pair of opposing endsurfaces 21 e and 21 f, respectively. The bottom surface 21 b canfurther include a downward protruding section 22 having a generally flatbottom surface 22 a and a pair of angled side surfaces 22 b and 22 c.

In one embodiment, a cushion pad 25 can be secured to the bottom surfaceof the protrusion 22 a in order to engage an automotive seat belt. Inone preferred embodiment, the cushion pad 25 can include a thin strip ofrubber that is permanently secured to the bottom of the protrusion 22 avia an adhesive such as glue or resin, for example. Alternatively, thecushion pad 25 can be constructed from any number of known materialscapable of providing a soft, flexible surface such as neoprene orcotton, for example.

The upper body 20 can also include a pair of nubs 26 and a retentionclip 27. As shown, the nubs 26 can extend laterally from the sidesurfaces 21 c and 21 d at a location adjacent to the end surface 21 e,and the retention clip 27 can include an inward facing protrusion 27 aand an outward facing protrusion 27 b. The retention clip 27 can bepositioned along the bottom surface 21 b at a location adjacent to theend surface 21 f. As will be described below, the nubs 26 and retentionclip 27 will act in unison to allow the upper body to move from an openposition to a closed and locked position with the lower body 30.

In one preferred embodiment, the upper body 20 can be constructed from asingle mold of injected plastic. Of course, any number of otherconstruction materials such as PVC, metal and wood, for example, canalso be utilized.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the lower body 30 of the device 10.As shown, the lower body can include an elongated, generally rectangularbox-like shape having a top surface 31 a, a bottom surface 31 b,opposing side surfaces 31 c and 31 d, and a pair of opposing endsurfaces 31 e and 31 f. The top surface 31 a can further include a pairof upward protruding sections 32 a and 32 b located adjacent to endsurfaces 31 e and 31 f, respectively.

Upward protruding sections 32 a and 32 b can each include an angled sidesection 32 a 1 and 32 b 1, respectively sloping inward towards thecenter of the device. Angled side sections 32 a 1 and 32 b 1 can becomplementary to angled side sections 22 c and 22 b, respectively, inorder to allow the lower body 30 to receive the protrusion 22 of theupper body 30 when the device is in a closed position (See FIG. 5).

The lower body 30 can further include a cavity 35 that is accessible viaan elongated opening 35 a within the top surface 31 a. The cavity 35 canalso include a pair of opposing drum receivers 35 b positioned therein.As described herein, drum receivers 35 b can preferably include smalldivots/holes having a suitable dimension for receiving the ends 43 ofthe roller drum 40 described below. Alternatively, roller holders caninclude any number of conventional hardware for receiving the ends ofthe roller and securely positioning the same in a manner that allows theroller to spin/rotate in place (see arrow B of FIGS. 4 b and 4 c).

A pair of nub receivers 36 can be secured to the upper portion of theprotrusion 32 a, each of the nub receivers can include a raised memberhaving an opening 36 a disposed therein for receiving the nubs 26 of theupper body. As shown by arrow A, when the nubs 26 are secured within thenub receivers 36 the upper body can act to swing from an upright/openposition (See FIG. 1) to closed position (See FIG. 5). A retention clipreceiver 37 can be located along the end side 31 f. As shown, the clipreceiver 37 can include an inward radiating cavity for receiving theinward facing protrusion 27 a of the retention clip when the device isin the closed position.

In one preferred embodiment, the lower body 30 can be constructed from asingle mold of injected plastic. Of course, any number of otherconstruction materials such as PVC, metal and wood, for example, canalso be utilized. Moreover, although described herein as including aspecific shaped retention clip, nubs, and associated receivers, this isfor illustrative purposes only. To this end, one of skill in the artwill recognize that any number of other types of attachment unitscapable of securing the upper body to the lower body in a moveable andlockable manner can be utilized. Such hardware including but not limitedto conventional hinges, and locking mechanisms such as buttons, snaps,magnetic elements and the like.

FIGS. 4 a-4 c illustrate one embodiment of the paddle drum of the device10. As shown, the drum 40 can include an elongated cylindrical member 41having a pair of opposing ends 41 a and 41 b and a plurality oforthogonal vanes/paddles 42 disposed thereon. A small protruding drumnipple 43 can be arranged in the center of each drum end 41 a and 41 b.The nipples 43 can include a dimension that is smaller than thedimension of the drum receivers 35 b in order to allow the drum tofreely rotate when positioned within the cavity 35, as shown by arrow b.

In one preferred embodiment, the cylindrical member 41, and the nipples43 can be constructed from a single mold of injected plastic, and willinclude six individual paddles 42 that are evenly spaced along thecylindrical member and are constructed from soft plastic or rubber thatis conventionally secured to the cylindrical member via knownconstruction techniques such as adhesive or compression fittings, forexample. Of course, any number of other materials and number of paddlesare also contemplated. Moreover, in another embodiment, each of thecylindrical member and the paddles can be constructed from injectionmolded plastic, and a rubber coating can be adhered to the paddles. Therubber coating being useful for engaging the seatbelt in a nonslipmanner.

As shown best in FIG. 4 b, when the drum 40 is positioned onto the drumreceivers 35 b, the uppermost paddle 42 will extend E through theopening 35 a of the top surface of the lower body 30. Such a featurewill allow the paddle to engage a seatbelt 5 when the device is in aclosed position, as will be described below in detail.

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of the device 10 in a closed positionwherein the upper body is folded across the lower body until the inwardfacing protrusion 27 a is engaged with the clip receiver 37. When thedevice is to be opened, the outward facing protrusion 27 b can act as alip for allowing a user to pull the inward facing protrusion 27 a awayfrom the clip receiver 37.

When the device is in the closed position, a channel 50 will existbetween the lowermost section of the protrusion 22 of the upper body andthe top surface 31 a of the lower body. This channel will be utilized toreceive an automotive seatbelt.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, a seatbelt 5 can be placed onto the topsurface of the lower body 31 a and the upper body 20 can then be closed.When so positioned, the seatbelt 5 will be sandwiched between thecushion pad 25 of the upper body protrusion 22, and the uppermost paddle42 which extends through the opening 35 a and into the channel 50. Sucha feature will allow the paddle 42 to push the seatbelt 5 into thecushion pad 25 in order prevent the device from unintentionally slidingalong the seatbelt.

Although the dimensions of the elements are not critical, a series ofpreferred dimensions are provided below. While the plain meaning of thebelow terms should be sufficient for those of skill in the art, forclarification purposes only, the term “length” can refer to the devicefrom end side 31 e to end side 31 f, the term “height” can refer tobottom surface 31 b to the top surface 21 a and the term “width” canrefer to sides 31 c to 31 d.

In the preferred embodiment the device 10 can include an overall lengthof approximately 3 inches, an overall height in a closed orientation ofapproximately ¾ inches, and an overall width of approximately 1 inch.

Both the bottom surface 22 a of the upper section protrusion 22, and thetop surface 31 a of the lower body 30 can include a length ofapproximately 2 inches and a width of approximately 1 inches.

The seat belt channel 50 will preferably include a height ofapproximately ¼ inches, a length of approximately 2 inches and a widthof approximately 1 inches.

The cavity 35 can preferably include a height of approximately ⅜ inches,a width of approximately ⅜ inches, and a length of approximately 1.5inches.

The paddle drum 40 can preferably include a length of approximately 1and ⅜ inches, an outside diameter of approximately ¼ inches. Each of thepaddles 42 can preferably include a width of approximately ¼ inches anda length of approximately 1 and ⅜ inches.

FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of the device 10 in operation. Asshown, the device 10 can be adjusted by sliding the device, see arrow C,towards or away from the pillar loop 7 of the vehicle. During thissliding motion, the drum 40 will rotate (see arrow B) in order to allowthe paddles 42 to engage the seatbelt as described above.

In operation, the device 10 can be positioned against the pillar loop 7of the vehicle, and the user can pull the seatbelt through the opening50 until a desired belt tension is achieved. As described herein, belttension can also include an amount of slack S between the users body 1and the seatbelt 5 while the user is in an automotive seat 2. At thispoint, the device 10 will utilize the natural pulling force of theseatbelt system to remain in contact with the pillar loop 7 whilesimultaneously maintaining spacing S during normal driving operation.

As described herein, one or more elements of the device 10 can besecured together utilizing any number of known attachment means such as,for example, screws, glue, compression fittings and welds, among others.Moreover, although the above embodiments have been described asincluding separate individual elements, the inventive concepts disclosedherein are not so limiting. To this end, one of skill in the art willrecognize that one or more individually described components can beconstructed with other individually described components to form onecontinuous element, either through manufacturing processes, such aswelding, casting, or molding, or through the use of a singular piece ofmaterial milled or machined with the aforementioned components formingidentifiable sections thereof.

As to a further description of the manner and use of the presentinvention, the same should be apparent from the above description.Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage andoperation will be provided.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A seatbelt tension adjustment device foradjusting a tension imparted onto a user of a seatbelt, said devicecomprising: an elongated upper body having a top surface, a bottomsurface, a first end and a second end, said bottom surface including adownward facing protrusion extending from a middle section thereof; alower body having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end, a secondend, and a pair of side surfaces defining an interior space, said topsurface including a pair of upward facing protrusions located adjacentto the first end and the second end, wherein the downward facingprotrusion of the upper body and the upward facing protrusions of thelower body form a channel for receiving the seatbelt when the device isin a closed position; a cavity formed within the interior space of thelower body, said cavity having an opening located along a center portionof the top surface of the lower body; a paddle drum that includes anelongated cylindrical member having a pair of opposing ends and aplurality of evenly spaced orthogonally oriented paddles disposedthereon, said paddle drum being positioned within the cavity in arotatable manner in which a portion of at least one of the plurality ofpaddles extends through the cavity opening and into the channel; and anattachment unit configured to secure the upper and lower bodies togetherin order to allow the device to transition between an open position anda closed position.
 2. The seatbelt tension adjustment device of claim 1,further comprising: a cushion pad secured onto the downward facingprotrusion of the upper body.
 3. The seatbelt tension adjustment deviceof claim 2, wherein said cushion pad is constructed from at least one ofa rubber strip, neoprene and cotton.
 4. The seatbelt tension adjustmentdevice of claim 1, further comprising: a retention clip positionedadjacent to the second end of the upper body, said retention clip havinga generally orthogonal relationship with the upper body and furtherincluding an inward facing protrusion and an outward facing protrusiondisposed onto a distal end thereof; and a clip receiver having a cavityfor receiving the inward facing protrusion of the retention clip, saidreceiver being positioned along the second end of the lower body,wherein said retention clip and clip receiver are configured to securethe device in the closed position.
 5. The seatbelt tension adjustmentdevice of claim 1, further comprising: a pair of nipples disposed on theopposing ends of the paddle drum; and a pair of drum receivers disposedalong opposite ends of the cavity of the lower body, said drum receiversbeing configured to receive the nipples and to allow the paddle drum tofreely rotate.
 6. The seatbelt tension adjustment device of claim 1,wherein each of the upper body and the lower body are constructed fromsingle molds of injected plastic.
 7. The seatbelt tension adjustmentdevice of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of paddles areconstructed from rubber that is configured to grip the seatbelt in anonslip manner.
 8. The seatbelt tension adjustment device of claim 1,wherein the paddle drum is constructed from a single mold of injectedplastic and includes six paddles.
 9. The seatbelt tension adjustmentdevice of claim 8, wherein each of the paddles further includes a rubbercoating applied thereon, said rubber coating being configured to gripthe seatbelt in a nonslip manner.
 10. The seatbelt tension adjustmentdevice of claim 1, wherein the device includes an overall length ofapproximately 3 inches, an overall height in a closed position ofapproximately ¾ inches and an overall width of approximately 1 inch.